Reuse and Repurpose: I'll Table That

I can’t imagine where one would find a fire hydrant not in use, but someone certainly realized a vivid imagination when they refashioned the red iconic street staple into a gigantic table. Unfortunately, the photo I took with my BlackBerry does little justice to this one-of-a-kind piece of outdoor furniture that dazzled me at the Kansas City's River Market Antiques Mall, a place full of almost, and I mean almost -- anything you can imagine – for it has never occurred to me that a table made out of a fire hydrant would be on anyone’s must-have list.

Selling for a mere $495, this Lucite topped fire hydrant seems to me a perfect addition to a Fourth of July barbecue. I can imagine it topped with platters of hot-off-the-grill hamburgers and hotdogs, a big bowl of creamy potato salad and finished off by a summery blackberry cobbler. And then after a copious meal, it might play host to a game of Scrabble or dominos until the sun slinks low in the sky, only to be illuminated soon after by boisterous rounds of fireworks.

Oh the things we long for when it’s 25 degrees outside!

In May 2009, Clarkson Potter will publish my book, The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details. Pre-order now on www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.